NEW DELHI, Feb 4: In remarks apparently timed to dampen the impact of President Pervez Musharraf’s rare visit to Moscow, India on Tuesday claimed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s support on New Delhi’s arguments against talks with Islamabad.

“In a significant gesture, Russian President Putin spoke to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee this evening, shortly before Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf arrival in Moscow on a three-day visit to Russia,” one Indian news report said.

Star News said during the telephonic conversation, which lasted for about 15 minutes, Putin expressed “full understanding” of New Delhi’s position that dialogue between India and Pakistan can only be resumed once the alleged cross-border terrorism stopped.

Reports from Islamabad had said that President Musharraf would seek Putin’s intervention in urging India to agree to restart the stalled dialogue with Pakistan.

Mr Vajpayee will be in St Petersberg in May this year.—J.N.